In little time, we’ve come a long way in spreading the word on those who are missing, and those who are missed by their loved ones.

Facebook posts, community notification texts, Amber alerts and a variety of the latest methods can broadcast pleas for help more quickly than ever. With increased exposure to news of missing persons, some question the police methods in finding them, especially those missing for long periods of time.

Area police say their efforts are aimed at protecting those in danger and following real leads. They’re also shaped by factors that range from when someone was reported missing, to whether he or she even wants to return home.

Family members said Rogers-Alicea had been living in Atlantic City for roughly a year. She'd spent at least part of that time in hotels, possibly more than one, while struggling with a heroin addiction.

In October, after not seeing her for several months, her mother Sona Turner reported her missing to police in Clayton, where Turner lives. The information was passed on to Atlantic City police because Rogers-Alicea was believed to be in the Shore city.

It isn't clear how much time passed between Turner's report and the killing, since investigators haven't said whether they were able to determine Rogers-Alicea's time of death.

Washington Township Police Capt. Richard Leonard described the steps that law enforcement generally takes when a person is reported missing.

“The most important thing, to begin with, is to get that person into NCIC (the National Crime Information Center database) as a missing person,” Leonard said.

The NCIC database is a store of information — available to law enforcement nationwide — on missing persons, fugitives, stolen items and even potential terrorists.

“We also follow up with the person’s family, friends, other contacts, especially those who have recently seen them,” Leonard added.

Investigators often check social media accounts as well, he said.

“If we think the person may be in danger, we may also ping their cellphone,” Leonard said.

To “ping” a cellphone is to detect which service tower is getting a signal from the phone, and narrow down the user’s location.

As time passes and township police don’t find the person, they inform the state police, who can add them to their own statewide missing persons list, Leonard said.

They’ll also send the description and information to other area police departments.

Such tactics are in line with long-standing New Jersey Attorney General’s policy on missing persons. That policy calls for a preliminary investigation once a person is reported missing, and efforts to find him.

It also calls for entering important information and a description into the NCIC database, and contacting the state police Missing Persons Unit or county prosecutor’s office victim/witness services for help if necessary, among other measures.

That all may seem black and white at first. But, the fact is, the circumstances can determine exactly what steps investigators take and how daunting the search can be.

The missing person may be an adult substance abuser, perhaps addicted to drugs and living on the streets. The police can’t just take that person into custody without some charge, and word that he’s a user isn’t enough.

An officer can approach the person and make sure he’s not in some imminent danger. The officer can tell him his family is looking for him, and give word to the family their loved one is safe.

Police can also recommend services for help and for shelter. But in any case, they cannot force him against his will if he doesn’t want to return home or take advantage of a service.

Leonard pointed that out in outlining Washington Township’s methods.

“If we find them, we at least make sure they’re OK,” he explained. “Sometimes they’ll say, ‘I’m OK. I just don’t want to be around the house now.’ ”

If the person doesn’t face a mental health issue or other potential threat, Leonard said, police would inform his loved ones he’s at least alive and well.

“Every case is different,” Leonard said of the breadth of investigations. “Sometimes you have a lot of information to go on, and sometimes there’s very little.

“It partly depends on whether the person just recently walked away or has been gone for a few days.”

Deptford Township Police Detective Sgt. Major George Johnson said officers try to assess from the start whether a missing person may be in danger.

They take the same steps as do Washington Township police, he explained. But even when they encounter the missing person, there can be obstacles to helping him, Johnson said.

Officers encourage people who are on the streets or who are substance abusers to get help, he added. But in some cases, addicts get a push from the courts.

When all is said and done, a drug conviction can land the offender in drug court and a treatment program.

But for people living on the streets, winter weather poses its own dangers. Early this month, as frigid temperatures began to bear down on the area with the threat of snow, Deptford Police Chief William Hanstein opened his department’s lobby area as a temporary shelter for anyone who needed it, until other arrangements could be made.

Johnson also highlighted New Jersey 211, which can steer those in need to the correct service.

Whether a person in need inquires himself or someone acts on his behalf, the caller can dial 211, then be prompted to enter what type of help is needed.

For Gloucester County residents, calling 1-800-648-0132 will put them in touch with a county Homeless Hotline operator. During normal business hours, Gloucester County Social Services can be reached at 856-582-9200.

Social Services for Salem County can be reached 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 856-299-7200, and for Cumberland County at 856-691-4600.